Object processing for imaging

ABSTRACT

The present subject matter describes processing of objects for imaging in an imaging system. In an example implementation, a visual image of a plurality of objects disposed on an imaging bed of the imaging system is generated. A visual image of the imaging bed divided into a plurality of imaging zones is generated. Each of the plurality of objects are identified within a respective imaging zone from the plurality of imaging zones. Each of the plurality of imaging zones are assigned a corresponding imaging operation, where the imaging operation is one of a scan&amp;print operation and a scan-only operation.

BACKGROUND

Imaging systems, such as photocopiers and multi-function printers havescanning and printing capabilities. Objects, such as photographs, pagesof books, certificates, receipts, identification cards, or the like, maybe scanned and printed in order to reproduce them. The imaging systemsmay produce electronic copies of the objects by scanning and duplicatephysical copies by scanning and printing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The following detailed description references the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an imaging system having an imaging manager,according to an example implementation of the present subject matter;

FIG. 2 illustrates an imaging system, according to an exampleimplementation of the present subject matter;

FIG. 3A illustrates a graphical user interface (GUI) displayed on adisplay unit of an imaging system, depicting a visual image of aplurality of objects, according to an example implementation of thepresent subject matter;

FIG. 3B illustrates the GUI, depicting a visual image of an imaging bedof the imaging system divided into a plurality of imaging zones,according to an example implementation of the present subject matter;

FIG. 3C illustrates the GUI, depicting a visual representation of eachof the plurality of objects identified within a respective imaging zone,according to an example implementation of the present subject matter;

FIG. 3D illustrates the GUI, depicting an object overlapped withmultiple imaging zones, according to an example implementation of thepresent subject matter;

FIG. 3E illustrates the GUI, depicting assignment of an imagingoperation to an imaging zone;

FIG. 3F illustrates the GUI, depicting assignment of a set of imagingattributes to an imaging zone;

FIG. 4 illustrates a method of processing objects for imaging, accordingto an example implementation of the present subject matter;

FIG. 5 illustrates a method of identifying each of the objects within arespective imaging zone, according to an example implementation of thepresent subject matter; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a system environment implementing a non-transitorycomputer readable medium for processing objects to be imaged, accordingto an example of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An imaging system includes an imaging bed on which objects may bearranged for being reproduced. The imaging bed may be a glass flatbed orplaten. After the objects are placed on the imaging bed, the objects maybe subjected to an imaging operation. In an example, the imagingoperation may be a scan-only operation in which a scanner light ispassed over the objects placed on the imaging bed. After completion ofthe scan-only operation, scanned images of the objects in an electronicform can be stored in a memory of the imaging system or may betransferred to other electronic devices, such as laptops, desktops,smart phones, etc., which may be coupled to the imaging system. Inanother example, the imaging operation may be a scan&print operationwhich includes a scan-only operation followed by a print operationperformed on the scanned images of the objects. After completion of thescan&print operation, the final output from the imaging system areduplicate copies of the objects in a printed form.

Imaging systems generally process a single imaging operation on multipleobjects that are simultaneously placed on and imaged through the imagingbed. In an example scenario, a person may have two objects, for examplea receipt from a stationary store and a photograph, to be reproduced.The person may desire to obtain a copy of the photograph in anelectronic form and a copy of the receipt in a printed form. Thus, thephotograph is to be subjected to a scan-only operation whereas thereceipt is to be subjected to a scan&print operation. In the examplescenario, if the receipt and the photograph are imaged simultaneously,both may be subjected to either a scan-only operation or a scan&printoperation. In order to obtain a duplicate copy of the photograph in anelectronic form and a duplicate copy of the receipt in a printed form,the photograph and the receipt are to be placed on the imaging bed, oneat a time. For example, the photograph may be placed on the imaging bedat first. After placing the photograph on the imaging bed, a scan-onlyoperation is performed by the imaging system. Then the photograph may beremoved and the receipt may be arranged on the imaging bed, and thescan&print operation is performed on the receipt. Imaging systems arethus unable to produce a scanned electronic copy of one object and aprinted copy of another object, when both the objects are imagedsimultaneously.

When a large number of such different objects are to be reproduced,where some of the objects are to be scanned in an electronic form andsome are to be duplicated in a printed form, the overall processing timeof the imaging system may increase. Also, since the different objectsare arranged and imaged serially and separately, the complexity and themanual effort involved in handling the multiple objects by a user of theimaging system may be large.

The present subject matter describes techniques of processing objectsfor imaging in an imaging system. With the techniques of the presentsubject matter, different imaging operations may be applied ontodifferent objects which are imaged simultaneously. For example, withmultiple objects simultaneously placed on the imaging bed, some objectsmay be subjected to a scan-only operation and others may be subjected toa scan&print operation. This may reduce complexity in processing theobjects for imaging, may reduce the overall processing time, and mayprovide enhanced user experience by reducing the manual effort of theuser, otherwise consumed in serially imaging the objects.

In an example implementation of the present subject matter, a visualimage of a plurality of objects disposed on the imaging bed isgenerated. A visual image of the imaging bed divided into a plurality ofimaging zones is also generated. Each of the plurality of objects areidentified within a respective imaging zone and a corresponding imagingoperation is assigned to each of the plurality of imaging zones, wherethe imaging operation is one of a scan&print operation and a scan-onlyoperation. The object associated with each imaging zone is then eitheronly scanned or scanned and printed according to the imaging operationassigned to the respective imaging zone.

Thus, the present subject matter enables grouping objects in arespective imaging zone and allows selective assignment of one of ascan-only operation and a scan&print operation for each object withinthe respective imaging zone. This may help to reduce complexity inhandling objects for imaging, reduce manual effort of the user, andprovide an enriched user experience. Further, in an exampleimplementation of the present subject matter, if an object is placed inthe imaging bed in such a way that it overlaps with two/more imagingzones, then the object is identified within the imaging zone in whichthe maximum portion (area) of the object lies and the imaging operationassociated with that imaging zone is applied to the object. In anotherexample implementation, the user may select a layout of the imagingzones in which the imaging bed may be divided. The present subjectmatter by providing the user selectable layouts of imaging zones helpsto enhance user experience during simultaneously processing multipleobjects for imaging.

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawingsand the following description to refer to the same or similar parts.While several examples are described in the description, modifications,adaptations, and other implementations are possible. Accordingly, thefollowing detailed description does not limit the disclosed examples.Instead, the proper scope of the disclosed examples may be defined bythe appended claims.

FIG. 1 illustrates an imaging system 100 having an imaging manager 102,according to an example implementation of the present subject matter.The imaging system 100, also referred to as the system 100, has scanningand printing capabilities. Examples of the imaging system 100 include aphotocopier, a multi-function printer, or the like.

In an example implementation, the imaging manager 102 may be implementedthrough a combination of any suitable hardware and computer-readableinstructions. The imaging manager 102 may be implemented in a number ofdifferent ways to perform various functions for the purposes ofprocessing objects to be imaged by the system 100. For example, thecomputer-readable instructions for the imaging manager 102 may beprocessor-executable instructions stored in a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium, and the hardware for the imagingmanager 102 may include a processing resource (e.g., processor(s)), toexecute such instructions. In the present examples, the non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium stores instructions which, whenexecuted by the processing resource, implements the imaging manager 102.The system 100 may include the non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium storing the instructions and the processing resource (not shown)to execute the instructions. In an example, the non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium storing the instructions may beexternal, but accessible to the processing resource of the system 100.In another example, the imaging manager 102 may be implemented byelectronic circuitry.

The system 100 further includes a display unit 104. Examples of thedisplay unit 104 may include, but are not limited to, a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD) panel. The display unit 104 may be touch-enabled. In anexample implementation, the display unit 104 may be integrated within acontrol panel of the system 100. The display unit 104 is operable torender a preview of a plurality of objects to be scanned and/or scannedand printed by the system 100. In an example implementation, the previewmay be displayed in a user interface rendered on the display unit 104.The imaging manager 102 may be in communication with the display unit104 for performing several functions for the purpose of generatingpreviews and receiving user inputs.

The system 100 further includes an imaging bed 106. In an exampleimplementation, the imaging bed 106 may be a glass bed having a flatsurface. The plurality of objects to be imaged may be arranged on theimaging bed 106. In an example implementation, the system 100 may bemechanically coupled to a lid (not shown) which can cover the imagingbed 106.

In an example implementation, a plurality of objects may be arranged onthe imaging bed 106 and the lid may be closed to overlay on the imagingbed 106. The imaging manager 102 may generate a visual image of theplurality of objects at the display unit 104. In an exampleimplementation, the visual image is a preview of the objects disposed onthe imaging bed 106.

Upon generating the visual image of the objects, the imaging manager 102may receive one or more than one user input(s) based on which theimaging manager 102 may generate, at the display unit 104, a visualimage of the imaging bed 106 divided into a plurality of imaging zones.An imaging zone corresponds to a portion or area of the imaging bed 106previewed and displayed in the display unit 104.

The imaging manager 102 may identify each of the plurality of objectswithin a respective imaging zone from the plurality of imaging zones. Inan example implementation, an object on being identified within therespective zone may be associated with the respective imaging zone.Properties and characteristics of the respective imaging zone may beapplied to the object(s) identified within the respective zone.

The imaging manager 102 may assign to each of the plurality of imagingzones a corresponding imaging operation. The imaging operation may beone of a scan&print operation and a scan-only operation. The objectassociated with each imaging zone is then either only scanned or scannedand printed according to the imaging operation assigned to therespective imaging zone. Thus, the present subject matter facilitates inreducing the time for collectively processing multiple objects which areto be duplicated differently and enhances user convenience in objectscanning and copying.

Further, in an example implementation, the imaging manager 102 mayassign a set of imaging attributes to each of the plurality of imagingzones. The set of imaging attributes is indicative of imaging settingsto be applied to each of the plurality of objects identified within therespective imaging zone. The imaging settings may be scanning andprinting properties associated with the object(s) which are to besubjected to the scan-only operation or the scan&print operation. In anexample implementation, the set of imaging attributes comprises an imagequality setting, type setting, paper size, orientation, save-as format,color format, contrast, sharpness, resolution, and tiff compression.

FIG. 2 illustrates an imaging system 200, according to an exampleimplementation of the present subject matter. The imaging system 200,also referred to as system 200, includes the imaging manager 102, thedisplay unit 104, and the imaging bed 106, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Thedisplay unit 104, shown in FIG. 2, may provide a visual representation202 of objects which are simultaneously processed for imaging, where theobjects are grouped within a respective imaging zone. The technique withwhich the objects are grouped within the respective imaging zone and thevisual representation is generated is explained later in the descriptionwith reference to FIGS. 3A to 3F.

The system 200 further includes a processor 204. The processor 204 maybe implemented as microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers,digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines,logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based onoperational instructions. Among other capabilities, the processor 204may fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory(not shown) coupled to the processor 204.

The memory can be internal or external to the imaging system 200. Thememory may include any non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumincluding, for example, volatile memory (e.g., RAM), and/or non-volatilememory (e.g., EPROM, flash memory, NVRAM, memristor, etc.).

The system 200 also includes data 206. The data 206 serves, amongstother things, as a repository for storing data that may be fetched,processed, received, or generated by the imaging manager 102. The data206 comprises imaging zone data 208, visual image data 210 and otherdata 212. Imaging operations and imaging attributes assigned to arespective imaging zone may be stored in the imaging zone data 208.Visual images generated at the display unit 104 may be stored in thevisual image data 210. The other data 212 may correspond to otherimaging-related data stored/generated/fetched by the imaging system 200.

In operation, when a plurality of objects is arranged on the imaging bed106 of the system 200, the imaging manager 102 generates a visual imageof the plurality of objects on the display unit 104. FIG. 3A illustratesa graphical user interface (GUI) 300 displayed on the display unit 104depicting a visual image 302 of a plurality of objects 304. Theplurality of objects 304 depicted in FIG. 3A includes objects O1, O2,O3, and O4 arranged on the imaging bed 106. In an exampleimplementation, the visual image 302 may be a preview image of theplurality of objects 304. Although in FIG. 3A four objects are beingdepicted, there may be more than four objects which may be scannedsimultaneously.

Along with the visual image 302, the imaging manager 102 may alsoprovide a display of a plurality of predefined zone layouts 306, alsoreferred as zone layouts 306 within the GUI 300, as shown in FIG. 3A.Each of the zone layouts 306 are indicative of a specific pattern of aplurality of imaging zones in which the imaging bed 106 is to bedivided. An imaging zone corresponds to a portion or area of the imagingbed 106 previewed and displayed in the display unit 104. The zonelayouts 306 may provide two-quadrant patterns, as depicted by the zonelayout 306-1 and the zone layout 306-2, or a four-quadrant pattern, asdepicted by the zone layout 306-3. Although FIG. 3A illustrates threedifferent zone layouts, there may be more than three predefined zonelayouts. Also, the shapes and orientation of the zone layouts may vary.In an example implementation, the zone layouts may be formed fromirregular patterns.

In an example implementation, the imaging manager 102 receives a userselection of a predefined zone layout from the plurality of predefinedzone layouts 306. The user selection may be a touch-based user input onthe display unit 104. In an example implementation, upon receiving theuser selection, the selected zone layout may be highlighted, say, bydisplaying a bold outline. With reference to FIG. 3B, selection of thezone layout 306-3 is depicted by more prominent or highlighted bordersof the zone layout 306-3. The imaging manager 102, based on the userselection, generates a visual image of the imaging bed 106 divided intoa plurality of imaging zones to correspond to the selected predefinedzone layout. In the FIG. 3B, with the zone layout 306-3 being selected,the imaging bed 106 is divided using the four-quadrant pattern of thezone layout 306-3. Thus, a visual image 308 of the imaging bed 106divided into a first imaging zone 310-1, a second imaging zone 310-2, athird imaging zone 310-3, and a fourth imaging zone 310-4 is generated.The imaging zones 310-1 to 310-4 may collectively be referred to as theimaging zones 310.

Upon displaying the imaging bed 106 divided into the imaging zones 310,the imaging manager 102 identifies each of the objects O1-O4 within arespective imaging zone from the imaging zones 310 and accordinglydisplays each of the objects O1-O4 within the respective imaging zone.In an example implementation, the imaging manager 102 may detect theedges or outlines of the objects O1-O4 by performing a pre-scanoperation. The imaging manager 102, based on the detected outlines ofthe objects O1-O4, may identify that the object O1 is within firstimaging zone 310-1, the object O2 within the second imaging zone 310-2,the object O3 within the third imaging zone 310-3, and the object O4within the imaging zone 310-4, as illustrated in FIG. 3C.

Further, in an example scenario, an object may be arranged on theimaging bed 106 in such a manner that may result the object to overlapwith multiple imaging zones from the plurality of imaging zones 310. Inan example implementation, to identify each of the plurality of objectswithin the respective imaging zone, the imaging manager 102 determineswhether an object from the plurality of objects, overlaps with multipleimaging zones. On determining that an object overlaps with the multipleimaging zones, the imaging manager 102 calculates an area of eachoverlapping portion of the object corresponding to each of the multipleimaging zones. The imaging manager 102 then identifies an imaging zone,from the multiple imaging zones, as the respective imaging zone of theobject in which an overlapping portion of the object having a maximumarea is present.

The example scenario is explained with reference to FIG. 3D. Asillustrated in FIG. 3D, the object O1 overlaps with the first imagingzone 310-1 and the third imaging zone 310-3. The object O1 has a firstoverlapping portion 312-1 within the first imaging zone 310-1 and asecond overlapping portion 312-2 within the third imaging zone 310-3.The imaging manager 102 determines that the object O1 overlaps with thefirst and third imaging zones 310-1 and 310-3. In an exampleimplementation, the imaging manager 102 may detect borders or outlinesof the object O1 by performing a pre-scan operation to determine thatthe object overlaps with the first and third imaging zones 310-1 and310-3. On determining that the object O1 overlaps with the first andthird imaging zones 310-1 and 310-3, the imaging manager 102 calculatesan area of each of the first and second overlapping portions 312-1 and312-2. The imaging manager 102 then identifies the first imaging zone310-1 as the imaging zone for the object O1, since the first overlappingportion 312-1 within the first imaging zone 310-1 has an area greaterthan an area of the first overlapping portion 312-2, as can be seen fromFIG. 3D. Although, in FIG. 3D the object O1 is shown to overlap with twoimaging zones, in an example implementation, an object may overlap withmore than two imaging zones. Further, although in FIG. 3D, a singleobject is shown to overlap with multiple zones, more than one object mayalso overlap with multiple zones.

Once the objects are identified within their respective imaging zones,the imaging manager 102 assigns to each of the plurality of imagingzones a corresponding imaging operation based on a user input for therespective imaging zone. The user input for assignment of an imagingoperation to the respective imaging zone may be referred to as a firstuser input. The imaging manager 102 also assigns a set of imagingattributes to each of the plurality of imaging zones based on a seconduser input for the respective imaging zone. In an exampleimplementation, each of the first user input and the second user inputmay include a plurality of touch-based inputs provided by an user of theimaging system 200 for a respective imaging zone.

FIG. 3E illustrates the GUI 300 depicting assignment of an imagingoperation to an imaging zone based on a first user input. The imagingmanager 102 may receive a user input indicative of a selection of thefirst imaging zone 310-1 for specifying an imaging operation for thefirst imaging zone 310-1. In FIG. 3E, the first imaging zone 310-1selected by the user is depicted by displaying a selection box ‘M’ overthe first imaging zone 310-1. On receiving a selection of the firstimaging zone 310-1, the imaging manager 102 displays at the display unit104, user selectable options of imaging operations 314 that may beassigned to the first imaging zone 310-1. The imaging operations 314include a scan&print operation and a scan-only operation. The imagingmanager 102 then receives the first user input for the first imagingzone 310-1 indicative of a selection of one of the scan&print operationand the scan-only operation to be assigned to the first imaging zone310-1. The imaging manager 102 assigns the selected imaging operation tothe first imaging zone 310-1 based on the first user input. The imagingoperation assigned to an imaging zone is to be performed on the objectidentified within the respective imaging zone.

After assignment of the imaging operation to the first imaging zone310-1, in an example implementation, the imaging manager 102 displays atthe display unit 104, user selectable options of a set of imagingattributes 316 that may be assigned to the first imaging zone 310-1, asillustrated through FIG. 3F. The set of imaging attributes 316 isindicative of imaging settings to be applied to object(s) identifiedwithin the first imaging zone 310-1. In an example implementation, theset of imaging attributes includes an image quality setting, typesetting, paper size, orientation, save-as format, color format,contrast, resolution, sharpness, and tiff compression, some of which isdepicted in FIG. 3F. The imaging manager 102 may then receive a seconduser input for the first imaging zone 310-1. In an exampleimplementation, the second user input may be indicative of a selectionof one imaging attribute or more than one imaging attribute, from theset of imaging attributes 316, along with specific values of suchimaging attributes which are to be assigned to the first imaging zone310-1. The imaging manager 102 may assign the set of imaging attributes316 to the first imaging zone 310-1 based on the second user input.

Although, in FIGS. 3E and 3F, assignment of the imaging operation andassignment of the set of imaging attributes are shown with respect tothe first imaging zone 310-1, other imaging zones 310-2 to 310-4 mayalso be assigned a corresponding imaging operation and a correspondingset of imaging attributes in a similar manner.

In an example implementation, the imaging manager 102 may receive thefirst and second user inputs for each of the imaging zones 310,collectively. In another example implementation, the imaging manager 102may receive the first user inputs corresponding to all the imaging zones310 and then receive the second user inputs corresponding to all theimaging zones 310.

Upon assignment of the set of imaging attributes to each of theplurality of imaging zones, the imaging manager 102 applies the set ofimaging attributes to each of the plurality of objects identified withinthe respective imaging zone. Further, after application of the set ofimaging attributes to each of the plurality of objects within therespective imaging zone, in an example implementation, the imagingmanager 102 may generate a preview of each of the plurality of objectsbefore performing the imaging operation.

After generating the previews of each of the plurality of objects withthe respective imaging attributes applied to the objects, the imagingmanager 102 may receive a scan command. In an example implementation,the scan command may correspond to a touch-based user input on ascan/copy icon (not shown) which may be displayed in the GUI 300. Inanother example implementation, the scan command may correspond to apush button input provided by the user. On receipt of the scan command,the imaging manager 102 may generate control instructions for performingthe corresponding scan-only operation and the corresponding scan&printoperation assigned to the respective imaging zones as per the imagingattributes of the respective imaging zones.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method 400 of processing objects for imaging,according to an example implementation of the present subject matter.The method 400 can be implemented by processor(s) or computing device(s)through any suitable hardware, a non-transitory machine readable medium,or combination thereof. In an example implementation, the steps of themethod 400 as illustrated through blocks 402 to 408 may be performed byan imaging manager, such as the imaging manager 102, of an imagingsystem, such as the imaging system 100 or 200. Further, although themethod 400 is described in context of the aforementioned imaging systems100 and 200, other suitable systems may be used for execution of themethod 400. It may be understood that processes involved in the method400 can be executed based on instructions stored in a non-transitorycomputer readable medium. The non-transitory computer readable mediummay include, for example, digital memories, magnetic storage media, suchas a magnetic disks and magnetic tapes, hard drives, or opticallyreadable digital data storage media.

Referring to FIG. 4, at block 402, a visual image of a plurality ofobjects disposed on an imaging bed of the imaging system is generated.In an example implementation, the visual image is a previewed may begenerated at a display unit of the imaging system.

At block 404, a visual image of the imaging bed divided into a pluralityof imaging zones is generated. In an example implementation, the visualimage of the imaging bed divided into the plurality of imaging zones maybe generated based on receiving a user selection of a predefined zonelayout from a plurality of predefined zone layouts. Each of theplurality of predefined zone layouts are indicative of a specificpattern of the plurality of imaging zones in which the imaging bed maybe divided. In an example implementation, a display of a plurality ofpredefined zone layouts may be provided on the display unit and a userof the imaging system may select one of the predefined zone layouts tospecify the specific pattern of imaging zones in which the imaging bedmay be divided.

At block 406, each of the plurality of objects may be identified withina respective imaging zone from the plurality of imaging zones. In anexample implementation, when an object is placed in the imaging bed insuch a way that it overlaps with multiple imaging zones, then the objectis identified within the imaging zone in which the maximum portion(area) of the object lies. The procedure of identifying the imaging zonefor the object overlapping in multiple imaging zones is explained indetail later in the description with reference to FIG. 5.

Once the objects are identified within respective imaging zones, each ofthe plurality of imaging zones are assigned a corresponding imagingoperation, at block 408. The imaging operation is one of a scan&printoperation and a scan-only operation. The corresponding imaging operationis assigned to each of the plurality of imaging zones based on a userinput. The user input for assignment of the corresponding imagingoperation to the respective imaging zone may be referred to as a firstuser input. In an example implementation, the method of processingobjects for imaging may further include assignment of a set of imagingattributes to each of the plurality of imaging zones based on a seconduser input for the respective imaging zone. The set of imagingattributes is indicative of imaging settings to be applied to each ofthe plurality of objects identified within the respective imaging zone.In an example implementation, the set of imaging attributes includes animage quality setting, type setting, paper size, orientation, save-asformat, color format, contrast, resolution, sharpness, and tiffcompression.

In an example implementation, upon assignment of the set of imagingattributes to each of the plurality of imaging zones, the set of imagingattributes may be applied to each of the plurality of objects identifiedwithin the respective imaging zone. Further, after application of theset of imaging attributes to each of the plurality of objects within therespective imaging zone, a preview of each of the plurality of objectsmay be generated before performing the imaging operation. Aftergenerating the previews of each of the plurality of objects with therespective imaging attributes applied to the objects, a scan command maybe received based on which control instructions may be generated forperforming the corresponding scan-only operation or the correspondingscan&print operation assigned to the respective imaging zone.

FIG. 5 illustrates a method 500 for identifying each of the objectswithin a respective imaging zone, according to an example implementationof the present subject matter. The method 500 explains an exampleprocedure for identifying the respective imaging zone for each of theobjects placed on the imaging bed of the imaging system. When an objectis placed on the imaging bed, such that the object overlaps withmultiple imaging zones, the imaging zone for such an object may beidentified based on the method 500.

At block 502, it is determined whether an object from the plurality ofobjects overlaps with multiple imaging zones.

On determining that the object overlaps with the multiple imaging zones,at block 504, an area of each overlapping portion of the objectcorresponding to each of the multiple imaging zones is calculated.

At block 506, an imaging zone, from the multiple imaging zones, isidentified as the respective imaging zone of the object based on thecalculated area. The imaging zone in which an overlapping portion of theobject having a maximum area is present is identified as the respectiveimaging zone for the object.

FIG. 6 illustrates a system environment 600 implementing anon-transitory computer readable medium for processing objects to beimaged, according to an example implementation of the present subjectmatter. In an example implementation, the system environment 600includes processor(s) 602 communicatively coupled to a non-transitorycomputer readable medium 604 through a communication link 606. In anexample implementation, the processor(s) 602 may be a processor of animaging system, such as the imaging systems 100 and 200. In an example,the processor(s) 602 may have one or more processing resources forfetching and executing computer-readable instructions from thenon-transitory computer readable medium 604.

The non-transitory computer readable medium 604 can be, for example, aninternal memory device or an external memory device. In an exampleimplementation, the communication link 606 may be a direct communicationlink, such as any memory read/write interface.

The processor(s) 602 and the non-transitory computer readable medium 604may also be communicatively coupled to data sources 608 over thenetwork. The data sources 608 can include, for example, memory of theimaging system.

In an example implementation, the non-transitory computer readablemedium 604 includes a set of computer readable instructions which can beaccessed by the processor(s) 602 through the communication link 606 andsubsequently executed to perform acts for processing of objects to beimaged by an imaging system.

Referring to FIG. 6, in an example, the non-transitory computer readablemedium 604 includes instructions 610 that cause the processor(s) 602 togenerate a visual image of a plurality of objects to be imaged by theimaging system.

The non-transitory computer readable medium 604 includes instructions612 that cause the processor(s) 602 to generate a visual image of animaging bed of the imaging system divided into a plurality of imagingzones. In an example implementation, for generation the visual image ofthe imaging bed divided into the plurality of imaging zones, theinstructions 612 may cause the processor(s) 602 to receive a userselection of a predefined zone layout from a plurality of predefinedzone layouts. Each of the plurality of predefined zone layouts areindicative of a specific pattern of the plurality of imaging zones inwhich the imaging bed may be divided.

The non-transitory computer readable medium 604 includes instructions614 that cause the processor(s) 602 to identify each of the plurality ofobjects within a respective imaging zone from the plurality of imagingzones. In an example implementation, for identification of each of theplurality of objects within the respective imaging zone, theinstructions 614 may cause the processor(s) 602 to determine whether anobject from the plurality of objects overlaps with multiple imagingzones, from the plurality of imaging zones. On determining that theobject overlaps with the multiple imaging zones, the instructions 614may cause the processor(s) 602 to calculate an area of each overlappingportion of the object corresponding to each of the multiple imagingzones. Further, the instructions 614 may cause the processor(s) 602 toidentify an imaging zone, from the multiple imaging zones, as therespective imaging zone of the object in which an overlapping portion ofthe object having a maximum area is present.

The non-transitory computer readable medium 604 includes instructions616 that cause the processor(s) 602 to assign a set of imagingattributes to each of the plurality of imaging zones, where the set ofimaging attributes is indicative of imaging settings to be applied toeach of the plurality of objects identified within the respectiveimaging zone. Further, the non-transitory computer readable medium 604may include instructions for performing methods described through FIGS.4 and 5, or a combination thereof.

Although implementations of processing objects for imaging, have beendescribed in language specific to structural features and/or methods, itis to be understood that the present subject matter is not limited tothe specific features or methods described. Rather, the specificfeatures and methods are disclosed and explained as exampleimplementations of processing objects for imaging.

We claim:
 1. A method of processing objects for imaging in an imagingsystem, comprising: generating a visual image of a plurality of objectsdisposed on an imaging bed of the imaging system; generating a visualimage of the imaging bed divided into a plurality of imaging zones;identifying each of the plurality of objects within a respective imagingzone from the plurality of imaging zones based on the visual image ofthe plurality of objects and the visual image of the imaging bed dividedinto the plurality of imaging zones; in response to the identification,assigning to each of the plurality of imaging zones a correspondingimaging operation, wherein the corresponding imaging operation assignedto each of the plurality of imaging zones is one of a scan&printoperation and a scan-only operation; and performing the correspondingimaging operation for each of the plurality of imaging zones based onthe assignment.
 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein identifyingeach of the plurality of objects within the respective imaging zonecomprises: determining whether an object from the plurality of objectsoverlaps with multiple imaging zones, from the plurality of imagingzones; in response to determining that the object overlaps with themultiple imaging zones, calculating an area of each overlapping portionof the object corresponding to each of the multiple imaging zones; andidentifying an imaging zone, from the plurality of imaging zones, as therespective imaging zone of the object in which an overlapping portion ofthe object having a maximum area is present, wherein the correspondingimaging operation assigned to each of the plurality of imaging zones isbased on the respective identified imaging zones.
 3. The method asclaimed in claim 1, wherein generating the visual image of the imagingbed divided into the plurality of imaging zones comprises receiving, atthe imaging system, a user selection of a predefined zone layout from aplurality of predefined zone layouts, each of the plurality ofpredefined zone layouts indicative of a specific pattern of theplurality of imaging zones in which the imaging bed is to be divided andgenerating the visual image of the imaging bed divided into theplurality of imaging zones based on the user selection.
 4. The method asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the corresponding imaging operation isassigned to each of the plurality of imaging zones based on a userinput.
 5. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising assigninga set of imaging attributes to each of the plurality of imaging zones,wherein the set of imaging attributes is indicative of imaging settingsto be applied to each of the plurality of objects identified within therespective imaging zone.
 6. The method as claimed in claim 5, furthercomprising: based on the assignment of the set of imaging attributes toeach of the plurality of imaging zones, applying the set of imagingattributes to each of the plurality of objects identified within therespective imaging zone; and after application of the set of imagingattributes to each of the plurality of objects within the respectiveimaging zone, generating a preview of each of the plurality of objectswithin the respective imaging zone before performing the correspondingimaging operation.
 7. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the setof imaging attributes comprises an image quality setting, type setting,paper size, orientation, save-as format, color format, contrast,sharpness, resolution, and tiff compression.
 8. The method as claimed inclaim 1, wherein generating the visual image of the plurality ofobjects, the visual image of the imaging bed, identifying each of theplurality of objects within the respective imaging zone, and assigningthe corresponding imaging operations comprises a pre-scan operation ofthe imaging system, and wherein performing the corresponding imagingoperation for each of the plurality of imaging zones includes scanningeach of the plurality of objects based on the assignment.
 9. The methodas claimed in claim 8, wherein performing the corresponding imagingoperation for each of the plurality of imaging zones is in response toreceipt of a scan command which causes at least one scan&print operationand at least one scan-only operation executed on the plurality ofobjects.
 10. An imaging system comprising: an imaging bed to arrange aplurality of objects on; a display unit; and an imaging manager toprocess the plurality of objects, wherein the imaging manager is to:generate, at the display unit, a visual image of the plurality ofobjects; generate, at the display unit, a visual image of the imagingbed divided into a plurality of imaging zones; identify each of theplurality of objects within a respective imaging zone from the pluralityof imaging zones based on the visual image of the plurality of objectsand the visual image of the imaging bed divided into the plurality ofimaging zones; in response to the identification, assign, to each of theplurality of imaging zones, a corresponding imaging operation, whereinthe corresponding imaging operation assigned to each of the plurality ofimaging zones is one of a scan&print operation and a scan-onlyoperation; and assign a set of imaging attributes to each of theplurality of imaging zones, wherein the set of imaging attributesassigned to each of the plurality of imaging zones is indicative ofimaging settings to be applied to each of the plurality of objectsidentified within the respective imaging zone; and perform thecorresponding imaging operation for each of the plurality of imagingzones, the corresponding imaging operations performed including a scanof each of the plurality of objects based on the assigned correspondingimaging operations and set of imaging attributes.
 11. The imaging systemas claimed in claim 10, wherein to identify each of the plurality ofobjects within the respective imaging zone, the imaging manager is to:determine whether an object from the plurality of objects overlaps withmultiple imaging zones, from the plurality of imaging zones; in responseto determining that the object overlaps with the multiple imaging zones,calculate an area of each overlapping portion of the objectcorresponding to each of the multiple imaging zones; and identify animaging zone, from the multiple imaging zones, as the respective imagingzone of the object in which an overlapping portion of the object havinga maximum area is present, wherein the corresponding imaging operationassigned to each of the plurality of imaging zones and for each of theplurality of objects is based on the identified imaging zone.
 12. Theimaging system as claimed in claim 10, wherein to generate the visualimage of the imaging bed divided into the plurality of imaging zones,the imaging manager is to receive a user selection of a predefined zonelayout from a plurality of predefined zone layouts, each of theplurality of predefined zone layouts indicative of a specific pattern ofthe plurality of imaging zones in which the imaging bed is to bedivided.
 13. The imaging system as claimed in claim 10, wherein thecorresponding imaging operation is assigned to each of the plurality ofimaging zones based on a first user input to the imaging system for therespective imaging zone and the set of imaging attributes is assigned toeach of the plurality of imaging zones based on a second user input tothe imaging system for the respective imaging zone.
 14. The imagingsystem as claimed in claim 10, wherein the imaging manager is furtherto: based on the assignment of the set of imaging attributes to each ofthe plurality of imaging zones, apply the set of imaging attributes toeach of the plurality of objects identified within the respectiveimaging zone; after application of the set of imaging attributes to eachof the plurality of objects within the respective imaging zone, generatea preview of each of the plurality of objects before performing thecorresponding imaging operation; and based on a user input to theimaging system, perform the corresponding imaging operation for each ofthe plurality of imaging zones.
 15. The imaging system as claimed inclaim 10, wherein the imaging manager is to perform the correspondingimaging operation for each of the plurality of imaging zones includingthe scan of each of the plurality of objects and a print of a subset ofthe plurality of objects based on the assigned corresponding imagingoperations and set of imaging attributes.
 16. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium comprising computer-readable instructions, thecomputer-readable instructions for processing of objects to be imaged byan imaging system, when executed by a processor of the imaging system,cause the processor to: generate a preview visual image of a pluralityof objects; generate a preview visual image of the imaging bed dividedinto a plurality of imaging zones based on a user selection of theplurality of imaging zones from a plurality of predefined zone layouts;identify each of the plurality of objects within a respective imagingzone from the plurality of imaging zones based on the preview visualimage of the plurality of objects and the preview visual image of theimaging bed divided into the plurality of imaging zones; in response tothe identification of each of the plurality of objects within therespective imaging zone, assign, to each of the plurality of imagingzones, a corresponding imaging operation, wherein the imaging operationassigned to each of the plurality of imaging zones is one of ascan&print operation and a scan-only operation; assign a set of imagingattributes to each of the plurality of imaging zones, wherein the set ofimaging attributes assigned to each of the plurality of imaging zones isindicative of imaging settings to be applied to each of the plurality ofobjects identified within the respective imaging zone; and perform thecorresponding imaging operation for each of the plurality of imagingzones, the corresponding imaging operations performed including a scanof each of the plurality of objects based on the assigned imagingoperations and set of imaging attributes.
 17. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium as claimed in claim 16, wherein thecomputer-readable instructions to identify each of the plurality ofobjects within the respective imaging zone, when executed by theprocessor, cause the processor to: determine whether an object from theplurality of objects overlaps with multiple imaging zones, from theplurality of imaging zones; in response to determining that the objectoverlaps with the multiple imaging zones, calculate an area of eachoverlapping portion of the object corresponding to each of the multipleimaging zones; and identify an imaging zone, from the multiple imagingzones, as the respective imaging zone of the object in which anoverlapping portion of the object having a maximum area is present,wherein the corresponding imaging operations assigned to each of theplurality of imaging zones and for each of the plurality of objects isbased on the identified imaging zone.
 18. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium as claimed in claim 16, wherein thecomputer-readable instructions to generate the preview visual image ofthe imaging bed divided into the plurality of imaging zones whenexecuted by the processor, cause the processor to receive a userselection of a predefined zone layout from the plurality of predefinedzone layouts, each of the plurality of predefined zone layoutsindicative of a specific pattern of the plurality of imaging zones inwhich the imaging bed is to be divided, and generate the preview visualimage based on the user selection.
 19. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium as claimed in claim 16, wherein thecomputer-readable instructions to assign, to each of the plurality ofimaging zones, the corresponding imaging operation when executed by theprocessor, cause the processor to: assign the corresponding imagingoperation to each of the plurality of imaging zones based on a firstuser input to the imaging system; and assign the set of imagingattributes to each of the plurality of objects identified within therespective imaging zone based on a second user input to the imagingsystem.
 20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium as claimed inclaim 16, wherein the instructions when executed by the processor of theimaging system, cause the processor to, in response to identification ofeach of the plurality of objects within the respective imaging zone,display, on a display unit of the imaging system, the plurality ofobjects in the preview visual image of the imaging bed divided into theplurality of imaging zones.